New research suggests Saturn’s moon Titan has slushy ice layers rather than a vast underground ocean, challenging a decade-old theory.

NASA scientists reanalyzed Cassini data and found pockets of liquid water could exist within these ice layers, potentially supporting microscopic life.

Titan’s surface contains liquid methane lakes, but the ice pockets could reach temperatures around 21°C, offering more concentrated nutrients than a large ocean.

Researchers say this expands the types of environments considered potentially habitable in the search for life, Euro News has reported.

Any life on Titan would likely resemble Earth’s polar ecosystems, thriving in small, nutrient-rich water pockets.